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Author Topic: Good BAHA news  (Read 6082 times)

Sue Vogel

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Good BAHA news
« on: December 30, 2009, 11:34:14 am »
For all the BAHA hopefuls that have been sidestepped by their insurance, I had a miracle happen this morning.  My insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield) called me to say that their medical department had changed their position on the BAHA for SSD and will now pay for the entire BAHA system!  They then offered to send me that information in writing.  After I stopped my emotional outpouring, we had a nice discussion about all the SSD individuals who will be helped by this decision.  I can't explain how or why this happened, but I suspect it was the incredible letter that my surgeon's office sent to the insurance company explaining, in proper terminology, the universally accepted BAHA system and the medical reasons why SSD individuals like myself could  benefit from such a surgical implant.  My surgery is being scheduled as we speak.  I have so much to be thankful for this holiday season.   :)

SUE 
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3 cm left side
Translab. surgery 10/13/08
Dr. Gantz/Dr. Woodson
Univ. of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
SSD, adjusting to balance issues
BAHA surgery 1/29/10 Dr. Gantz/Dr. Woodson (dynamic duo)

saralynn143

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2009, 12:17:32 pm »
That's fabulous news, Sue. I was almost in tears myself as I read it. Major points for your doctor!

A happy, happy new year to you.

Sara
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MVD for hemifacial spasm 6/2/08
left side facial paresis
 12/100 facial function - 7/29/08
 46 - 11/25/08
 53 - 05/12/09
left side SSD approx. 4 weeks
 low-frequency hearing loss; 85% speech recognition 7/28/08
1.8 gram thin profile platinum eyelid weight 8/12/08
Fitted for scleral lens 5/9/13

Cheryl R

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2009, 01:25:13 pm »
Sue, I am very happy for you and good to know our Dr came thru for you!          I have never discussed whether I would be a cansdidate for a BAHA since I am a bit different with my NF2 and Gantz never mentioned it either.        I have BCBS too and just been happy how they have gave good coverage for what I have been thru.           What a super late Christmas present for you! 
              Good luck with your BAHA!                          Cheryl R
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Right mid fossa 11-01-01
  left tumor found 5-03,so have NF2
  trans lab for right facial nerve tumor
  with nerve graft 3-23-06
   CSF leak revision surgery 4-07-06
   left mid fossa 4-17-08
   near deaf on left before surgery
   with hearing much improved .
    Univ of Iowa for all care

lori67

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2009, 01:56:53 pm »
Wow, that is good news - for you and potentially many others!  How great of your doctor to go to bat for those with SSD.

Hope you can get your surgery scheduled soon!  You'll love your BAHA!

Lori
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Right 3cm AN diagnosed 1/2007.  Translab resection 2/20/07 by Dr. David Kaylie and Dr. Karl Hampf at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.  R side deafness, facial nerve paralysis.  Tarsorraphy and tear duct cauterization 5/2007.  BAHA implant 11/8/07. 7-12 nerve jump 9/26/08.

Amplified2000

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2009, 03:19:02 pm »
I'm so happy to hear this! Congratulations!

It also makes me feel a little better about my upcoming battle with my AN, I have already made peace with the possibility of SSD but was dreading having to fight with my insurance company (also BCBS) about getting a BAHA should the need arise. This helps alleviate one of the worries on my plate.

Congratulations again and best of luck!
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10th Cranial Nerve Neuroma - 4.6cm x 4.2cm x 6.8cm - Removed 5/08 by Dr. John Leonnetti @ Loyola University
AN - Left IAC - 20mm x 9mm x 11mm - 2/10
Mid-Fossa - Dr. Friedman @ HEI on 3/3/10
Total removal, only mild hearing loss.. did have a CSF leak but they fixed it :)
Home recovering :)

Jim Scott

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2009, 03:38:34 pm »
Sue ~

Wow!  What wonderful news - for you and the many other SSD folks seeking help for their hearing deficit with a BAHA.  Please thank your doctor for his incredible contribution to SSD folks and thank you, Sue, for your efforts and sharing this fabulous news with us. 

Jim
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4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2009, 06:21:45 pm »
Yea, Sue!!!  ;D

I am ecstatic to hear this!!

As Lori said, you'll love your BAHA.

Once you have a surgery date, please PM me or Lori your mailing address so we can send you one of our Official BAHA Recovery Kits. 

It's very helpful  post op - and free, too so you should take advantage of it.  (Not many things in life are free these days  ;) )

Best,

Jan
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Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

sgerrard

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2009, 12:20:21 am »
Excellent. 

I hope we can get copies of the doctor's letter and the insurance company letter, for use in future cases.

I nominate Sue to be our official Insurance Lady.  ;)

Steve
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8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.

lawmama

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2009, 07:11:31 am »
WOOOHOOOOO Sue!!!!  That is fantastic news.  I am so happy for you and for the many others whose lives will be transformed because of this decision.  Good for BCBS for doing the right thing.

Lyn
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9mm X 7mm tumor (left side), diagnosed 10-15-09
Retrosigmoid on 12-14-09 by Drs. Antonelli and Lewis (my heroes!)
Shands in Gainesville, FL
SSD, but no facial issues.  Mild tinnitus.

wendysig

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2009, 04:37:11 pm »
Hi Sue!

Congratulations on Blue Cross' decision reversal!!!  What wonderful news and a great way to end the year.  I hope your surgery is scheduled soon and you love your BAHA as much as I do mine.  I'm doing the dance of joy for you!!!!

Wendy\
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1.3 cm at time of diagnosis -  April 9, 2008
2 cm at time of surgery
SSD right side translabyrinthine July 25, 2008
Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
Extremely grateful for the wonderful Dr. Choe & Dr. Chen
BAHA surgery 1/5/09
Doing great!

tenai98

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #10 on: January 01, 2010, 07:09:09 am »
woohhoooo
Happy New Year
JO
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14mmX11mmX11mm left ear
TRANSLAB 04/07/09 2cms at time of surgery
Dr. Benoit and Schramm, Ottawa Civic Campus
SSD ,some facial numbness
Baha surgery sept 22/09
residual tumor 13mmX7mmX8mm
2016 new growth.  25mmX21mmX22mm
cyberknife on June 7

ombrerose4

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #11 on: January 01, 2010, 09:00:50 am »
Congratulations on the good news. You and your doctor both desrve a gold star for pursuing the issue with the insurance company. What a wonderful way to begin the new year :)
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Retrosigmoid 9/24/09
AN 2.4+ cm left side
Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC (Dr. Bederson and Dr. Choe)
BAHA surgery 1/4/2010

ncutt

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2010, 12:26:50 am »
WOW!  Congrats!  That is WONDERFUL news!
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another NY postie

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2010, 08:17:38 am »
Sue, what a way to start 2010!  Can't wait to "hear" :D how it goes for you, especially in the classroom!
Cheryl
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5 mm lateral IAC (impacted?) diagnosed 6-09-09
middle fosa 9/23 HEI - Brackmann/Schwartz
all tumor gone, facial perfect, no ringing
SSD on right side - Rockin' and Rollin'

Ellenmn

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Re: Good BAHA news
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2010, 08:38:49 pm »
That's great to hear. i'll have to look into things further.
I've been in the big debat for 2 1/2 yrs now.


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